"Esther" refers to a book in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It's a story set in the time of the great Persian king Xerxes, who reigned between 486 and 465 B.C. The story revolves around Esther, the niece and adopted daughter of Mordecai ben Jair, a Jew who sits at the King's Gate. Esther becomes queen and manages to keep her Jewish identity a secret. However, despite all the literary and archaeological evidence that illuminates the Esther story, most modern scholars do not believe the tale reflects actual history. It's seen more like fiction—a novella—than a historical account. There's nothing miraculous or supernatural in it, which makes it unique among many biblical books. So, the legitimacy of "Esther" depends on one's perspective and interpretation of the text.